Bürstner Eliseo Active C 642 campervan

Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato Price from: £63,795 Berths: 2-5 Travel seats: 4 Length: 6.36m Width: 2.08m Height: 2.65m Gross weight: 3,500kg Payload: 480kg

Words Iain Duff, photos courtesy of Bürstner

The Bürstner Eliseo Active C 642

If there’s one thing that makes people unsure whether campervanning is for them it’s the thought that the compact nature of a campervan means it’ll be cramped and uncomfortable. With the Eliseo Active range from Bürstner, that is not an issue.

The best campervans are the ones that make the most of the space available through thoughtful layout and innovative features. And the C 642 layout combines everything you need for the campervan lifestyle with superior comfort, in a relatively compact space.

The layout

Based on a Fiat Ducato chassis, this is a two-berth campervan with four belted travel seats and lots of storage throughout.

The cosy sleeping area at the rear has the flexibility to be set up with two comfortable single beds or a large double and an optional pop-up roof would allow you to create another double bed up top.

The washroom

For longer trips where you are spending a lot of time away from campsites, the all-in-one washroom, equipped with a sink, toilet and a pull-out shower head and hose, is a real benefit. There’s nothing better than a refreshing shower after a long drive, a day of mountain biking or simply hanging out on the beach. And the Eliseo’s clever set-up makes showering a hassle-free experience.

The washroom has a sliding door, making it easier to access, and, inside, the inventive swinging wall feature allows you to unclip the sink and mirror unit and swing it out to create an enclosed shower cabinet. This also reveals a small window for fresh air.

It’s a really ingenious use of the available space – and, when the washroom isn’t in use, you can use it to hang coats and longer items of clothing.

The kitchen

Opposite the washroom is the well-equipped central kitchen area. The double-burner gas stove and oven let you flex your culinary muscles – ideal for rustling up a delicious evening meal from local produce you’ve picked up on your travels.

The cooker and kitchen sink have glass covers and there’s a fold-away worktop extension to increase your countertop space, as well as a decent amount of storage. The compressor fridge is a perfectly useful 84 litres but you do have the option to go for a larger tower refrigerator.

The lounge

The dinette sits in front of the washroom, across from the kitchen and immediately behind the front cab. The front seats swivel to allow four people to sit around the dining table, which has a swing-out extension if you need more space.

An optional sunroof at the front lets sunlight flood in, generating a bright, airy feel to the campervan. In the evening, the dimmable lighting creates a cosy ambience in the lounge area – and the sunroof allows you to indulge in some stargazing from the comfort of the campervan.

The award-winning Bürstner Home Light system lets you to illuminate the areas where you need light most. It can be attached to various places inside the vehicle using magnetic brackets.

Summary

With a nine-speed automatic gearbox, driving is a smooth and comfortable experience, whatever the conditions. The passenger and driver seats are upholstered in the same fabric as the living area, giving the interior a consistent and stylish feel throughout.